Composer: Berry, Andrew Instrumentation: Solo and Piano Instruments: Piano, Tuba Genre: Folk music
with Piano; This is Andrew Berry’s first completed composition for the two instruments. Though it primarily features the tubist as the solo voice, the pianist plays an important role both melodically and harmonically, truly making the composition a piece of chamber music. Each of the three episodes are entirely “absolute” music. While there is no programmatic inspiration behind the piece, there is melodic and harmonic continuity among the three episodes that allow the performers to tell their own story in the larger context of the piece.
Episode I is primarily composed of a-symmetric meters (5/4 and 7/8) with subdivision groupings that are often changing. Along with the jazz-inspired rhythms, this effect creates an imbalance of time that is truly never resolved in the entirety of the movement.
Episode II is much like a fantasy, with melodic ideas flowing naturally between the two performers without focusing too heavily on the previous material. The episode is divided into three main sections, each with its own individual mood and pacing.
Episode III is the final movement of the piece and acts as a realization of the material from the previous movements. The changing subdivisions in the asymmetric meters are still present, however the melodic material is much more tonal and conclusive in its cadences. Energy and drama build up to the final minute of the piece, where a calm reminiscence of the piece’s opening material transitions into a beautiful final melody from the tubist and conclusion of epic proportions from both performers.
3 Episodes for Tuba and Piano was premiered by Nick Collins (tuba) and Dr. Eric Jenkins (piano) on April 25th, 2021 during Nick’s senior tuba recital at Kennesaw State University.
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Composer: Vaughan Williams, Ralph Arranger: Revis, Samuel Instrumentation: Solo and Piano Instruments: Piano, Tuba Genre: Folk music
with Piano; Originally for solo for male voice, Whither Must I Wander, in 2020. When I first heard the piece I immediately fell in love with the melody and wanted to see how it fit the tuba. Whither Must I Wander ultimately fit the tuba perfectly and truly allows the performer to soar through their range on true cantabile lines. Learn More
Composer: Revis, Samuel Instrumentation: Solo and Piano Instruments: Piano, Tuba Genre: Contemporary
with Piano; Doubles was composed in 2018 and is intended to be performable on either Contra-bass or Bass tuba. The piece contrasts a slightly sad, sweet melody in the 3/4 sections with the jovial, bouncing lines of the 3/8 sections. The piano part in Doubles is also extremely important and frequently engages in a call and response with the melody in the tuba. Doubles is dedicated to the memory of Barbara York as a thank you for the assistance she joyfully gave me in while I was working on the piece. Learn More